Boating and Living in Mexico
Jan and Jim Ketler, Lawrence Livermore National Lab

My husband and I retired from the Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory in 1990. We sold our condo in Livermore and moved onto our 42-foot powerboat and headed for Mexico.

We cruised the Sea of Cortez and the Mexican waters along the mainland for a few years and finally built a house in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico on a canal which leads to the beautiful Banderas Bay. We then sold the big boat and acquired a 27-foot sport fisher in which we spent many a day enjoying the wonderful fishing in this area.

Banderas Bay makes Puerto Vallarta a very enticing area for boaters. We have always been a part of the boating community in Puerto Vallarta and have met and made many friends with many, many gringos from all over the world.

The Mexican people are warm and friendly, and even though one may not speak their language fluently, they are always ready to assist you in whatever way they can and are happy when one at least tries to speak a little Spanish. We have enjoyed living here in Mexico because of the friendliness of the Mexicans and the camaraderie of the boating community and others who have chosen Mexico for retirement. 

Unfortunately, my husband passed away two years ago from cancer. But he is remembered fondly in Vallarta for contributing his time and effort to this community. He will best be remembered for founding the Vallarta Yacht Club, which has become a well-known throughout Mexico, the US and Canada.

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